Quote:Companies across the United States have been banning plastic straws in response to the startling statistic that Americans use more than 500 million straws per day. The only problem is that the statistic, founded by a 9-year-old, remains unconfirmed.

When he was 9, Milo Cress placed calls to a few straw manufacturers and came up with the “500 million straws per day” statistic. Cress admitted to NPR that the research was done informally, though he still thinks the number is correct.

While no one has confirmed his study independently, Cress' informal research led many environmental activists to make plastic straws public enemy No. 1. Numerous organizations pointed to their effect on the oceans and saw straws as a needless waste.

As for Cress, this is not the first time his research has been considered by a legislative body. He first presented his findings to the Vermont House Legislature.

Cress, now 17, continues his work to rid the world of straws with his nonprofit organization, BeStrawFree.

Link fixed

Link

Here's another article

Link no work.

The resort im at in Mexico has done away with straws. Their sign said 500 million worldwide. Thats a fat more believable statistic.

Any reduction in plastic consumption is a positive. I generally forego a lid or straw when dining out.

(07-24-2018 03:20 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

Quote:Companies across the United States have been banning plastic straws in response to the startling statistic that Americans use more than 500 million straws per day. The only problem is that the statistic, founded by a 9-year-old, remains unconfirmed.

When he was 9, Milo Cress placed calls to a few straw manufacturers and came up with the “500 million straws per day” statistic. Cress admitted to NPR that the research was done informally, though he still thinks the number is correct.

While no one has confirmed his study independently, Cress' informal research led many environmental activists to make plastic straws public enemy No. 1. Numerous organizations pointed to their effect on the oceans and saw straws as a needless waste.

As for Cress, this is not the first time his research has been considered by a legislative body. He first presented his findings to the Vermont House Legislature.

Cress, now 17, continues his work to rid the world of straws with his nonprofit organization, BeStrawFree.

Link

And of course, there's the other side, feeling equally strongly.

https://www.eater.com/2018/7/19/17586742...sabilities

"I live in the Mission District of San Francisco, where delicious taquerias, bakeries, cafes, and bars are everywhere. And as a disabled person who uses a wheelchair to get around and a ventilator to breathe, the pleasure of eating and drinking is mediated by a number of factors. When I leave my home for a latte or burrito, a number of calculations go through my head: Will the place have their door propped open so I can enter? If the door is closed, will someone exiting or entering open it for me? Is the counter low enough for the server to see me? Can they hear and understand me with the mask over my nose if it’s incredibly noisy inside? Will I be able to sign my name on the touchscreen or receipt, depending on the counter height?...

Plastic is seen as cheap, “anti-luxury,” wasteful, and harmful to the environment. All true. Plastic is also an essential part of my health and wellness. With my neuromuscular disability, plastic straws are necessary tools for my hydration and nutrition. Currently, plastic single-use straws are the latest target by environmentalists in the move toward zero waste. Major restaurant groups such as Union Square Hospitality Group and companies such as Starbucks and others in the travel industry announced plans to phase out single-use plastics...."

I need to check with NYC Dem Socialists, but banning straws does not seem to be on their agenda like
banning, borders, prisons, nations, profit, ice

Quote:work to rid the world of straws with his nonprofit organization, BeStrawFree.

(07-24-2018 03:30 PM)bullet Wrote:  

(07-24-2018 03:20 PM)CrimsonPhantom Wrote:  

Quote:Companies across the United States have been banning plastic straws in response to the startling statistic that Americans use more than 500 million straws per day. The only problem is that the statistic, founded by a 9-year-old, remains unconfirmed.

When he was 9, Milo Cress placed calls to a few straw manufacturers and came up with the “500 million straws per day” statistic. Cress admitted to NPR that the research was done informally, though he still thinks the number is correct.

While no one has confirmed his study independently, Cress' informal research led many environmental activists to make plastic straws public enemy No. 1. Numerous organizations pointed to their effect on the oceans and saw straws as a needless waste.

As for Cress, this is not the first time his research has been considered by a legislative body. He first presented his findings to the Vermont House Legislature.

Cress, now 17, continues his work to rid the world of straws with his nonprofit organization, BeStrawFree.

Link

And of course, there's the other side, feeling equally strongly.

https://www.eater.com/2018/7/19/17586742...sabilities

"I live in the Mission District of San Francisco, where delicious taquerias, bakeries, cafes, and bars are everywhere. And as a disabled person who uses a wheelchair to get around and a ventilator to breathe, the pleasure of eating and drinking is mediated by a number of factors. When I leave my home for a latte or burrito, a number of calculations go through my head: Will the place have their door propped open so I can enter? If the door is closed, will someone exiting or entering open it for me? Is the counter low enough for the server to see me? Can they hear and understand me with the mask over my nose if it’s incredibly noisy inside? Will I be able to sign my name on the touchscreen or receipt, depending on the counter height?...

Plastic is seen as cheap, “anti-luxury,” wasteful, and harmful to the environment. All true. Plastic is also an essential part of my health and wellness. With my neuromuscular disability, plastic straws are necessary tools for my hydration and nutrition. Currently, plastic single-use straws are the latest target by environmentalists in the move toward zero waste. Major restaurant groups such as Union Square Hospitality Group and companies such as Starbucks and others in the travel industry announced plans to phase out single-use plastics...."

I sympathize with his position. My sister is extremely disabled by cerebral palsy and there are numerous things that are a struggle, but we learned to adapt. My sister cannot use metal utensils so we always have sets of plasticware with us. For the gentleman above, I'd suggest he starts bringing certain plastics he needs with him.

Society rarely conforms to the specific needs of a disabled individual and if it is not a structure limitation, which his handled by the ADA, its up to the individual to account for it.

(07-24-2018 03:24 PM)Redwingtom Wrote:  Link no work.

fixed

I don't really care about straws; but it is interesting that they went after the straws and not the plastic ups the straws go into. I guess the cups will be next.

(07-25-2018 07:56 AM)VA49er Wrote:  I don't really care about straws; but it is interesting that they went after the straws and not the plastic ups the straws go into. I guess the cups will be next.

Do you not concur that our use of plastics is hurting and potentially catastrophic to the global health of the planet?

Hasn't a follow up been done to show it's more like 200 million? Still a lot. If the switch is to a more eco friendly paper version I don't see the harm or outrage in this.

(07-25-2018 08:28 AM)Redwingtom Wrote:  

(07-25-2018 07:56 AM)VA49er Wrote:  I don't really care about straws; but it is interesting that they went after the straws and not the plastic ups the straws go into. I guess the cups will be next.

Do you not concur that our use of plastics is hurting and potentially catastrophic to the global health of the planet?

No. The development and continued improvement of plastics is one of the cornerstones of our economic, scientific and even social development. The use of plastics is not a threat to the global health of the planet, stupidity and short-sightedness of out population is hurting the global health of the planet.